With the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth, thousands of condolences have poured in globally, thanking her for the 70 years she spent as queen. The queen peacefully passed away on September 8th at 96 years old. Her funeral was witnessed by over 29 million people globally, clearly implying that she left a lasting impression on society today. However, all the publicity focused on the British monarch, led to controversies and allegations related to the hostile atmosphere and alleged colonizations that have come to being under the royal family's rule. This article will highlight the controversies surrounding the royal family and how they have devastated numerous nations.
The first aspect covered in this paragraph is the history of British colonization in India and the Koh-I-Noor diamond. India was the only known source of diamonds and alluvial gemstones for many years during the Mughal dynasty (15 century), making it a highly wealthy nation. At that time,rulers fought many battles. The Koh-I-Noor diamond was passed around to other countries like Afghanistan before finally being returned to India and into the hands of Sikh ruler Rajit Singh in 1813. For him, this stone symbolized power and showcased his wealth, thus irresistible to the British monarch who had colonized India by mid the 18th century. When the British learnt about Rajits death and his plan to pass the stone to sacred religious beings, they were outraged, with one editorial even stating," The richest, the most costly gem in the known world, has been committed to the trust of a profane, idolatrous and mercenary priesthood." Fortunately for the British empire, a ten-year-old boy named Maharaja Duleep Singh was next in line. Using this to their advantage, they pressured him to sign "protection" treaties and isolated him from his family, which eventually led to him giving up his place on the throne and the wealth he possessed, including the Koh-i-Noor diamond, up. To this day, the diamond is shamelessly exhibited on the crown passed down through the British monarch. In 1974, the government of India requested for the crown jewel to be returned; however, they were met with ignorance and excuses. This is highly relevant to society today as Queen Camilla's coronation; may invoke emotions due to the hardships many Indians felt through the British colonization. This is because of the rituals that may occur for example, the passing down of the crown that contains the infamous diamond. Many have voiced their opinion on numerous social media platforms showing the lack of respect they possess for the monarch due to its controversial nature. While the Koh-I-Noor diamond is just an artifact, many sources, such as the Guardian, have titled the British museum as the "World's largest receiver of stolen goods." This is just one of the many instances which shows how the British monarch devasted a nation, massacred their citizens, and stole their wealth.
The second instance worth mentioning is the controversial remarks members of the royal family have made during expeditions. During a visit to China in 1986, Prince Phillip stated to 21-year-old student Simon Kerby, "If you stay here much longer, you will go home with slitty eyes.". This statement of blatant racism exhibits how the prince was brought up and the influence he has had in his life. It further exemplifies the lack of diversity in their bloodline and the lack of inclusivity in the castle. This is just one of the many instances when the royal family has demonstrated their lack of respect for other cultures and ethnicities.
Another prominent example is the marriage of Meghan Markle and Harry. Many conversations at the palace were focused on their son Archie's skin color. Megan has previously faced judgment for being a commoner and not British like the rest of the royal family. In an interview with Oprah, she stated that the backlash she received was so exhausting that she didn't want to live anymore. This sentence further exemplifies the toxic environment the monarchy possesses.
In summary, while the queen has remained an iconic political figure, the numerous allegations her family and her face are far from gone, and history has still not been resolved. This article highlights a few significant problems that have been ignored yet still have major significance to other nations. I wish the utmost success for the new reigning king and queen and hope that countries can resolve these issues in a peaceful and non-conflicting manner.
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